Guruvayoor Keshavan

Another film is in progress based on the life of the legendary elepphant Guruvayoor Keshavan. It is based on the novel named 'Guruvayoor Keshavan' written by Puthoor Unnikrishnan. Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran is acting as Guruvayoor Keshavan. It is a great honour to him to be a part of the story of his ancestor. Chirayckal gopi, a young tusker of Kerala is doing the younger stages of Guruvayoor Keshavan.
Surya TV is telecasting a serial based on his legendary life. This may be the first one of its kind in India. 'Gajarajan Guruvayoor Keshavan' is the title of this serial.
Guruvayoor Keshavan
Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran

mozha elephants at Punnathur Kotta

Mozha elephants-Tuskless male elephants are called mozha elephants. There are two mozha elephants at Punnathur kotta. Guruvayur Balakrishnan and Guruvayur Junior Lakshmanan. These elephants have less demand compared to tuskers in festive seasons. So they are more healthy than other members. E4 elephant the program in Kairali TV is an excellent one giving a close look to the kerala captive elephants.

Gajapooja

"Gajananam Bhoothaganadhi sevitham Kapithajam bhubhalasarabhakshitham
Umasutham Shokavinashakaranam Namami Vigneswara padapankajam"
Gajapooja is worshipping of elephants. According to Puranas elephants are considered as incarnation of Mahaganapathy, the god who diminishes all obstacles. Vinayaka Chathurthy is an auspicious occasion for Ganapathy Temple. At Malliyoor Temple every year 'Gajapooja' and 'Aanayoottu' are observed as part of the Vinayaka Chathurthi rituals. Caparisoned jumbos are considered as the most eminent guests of the day. The feast of these pachyderms is a great pleasure to the devotees of the temple too. Bhagavatha Hamsam Malliyoor Namboothiri the great guru and the great devotee of Sri Guruvayurappa is conducting various events in the temple which attracts a lot of devotees from various places. It is the only temple, the diety is Sri krishna in the lap of Sri Mahaganapathy.

For more about elephants....http://www.elephant-kerala.com/
'Gajakesarikal' a book about the majestic elephants of Kerala in Malayalam by Mr.K.P.Raju an ardent lover of elephants. To know more about the book:phone-0481-2411733

'Aanayottam' (Elephant race)

The most famous Aanayottam is conducted at the Guruvayur temple during the Utsavam. This will start from 'Manjulalthara'(Big banyan tree in the eastern entrance). The race ends at the flag post. During the race the elephants have to run 7 times around the temple. The elephant who wins will have the right to take the idol of Sri Guruvayurappa during the procession.
Legend behind the Aanayottam

http://www.elephant-kerala.com/